UCI's Asuka on to final 4

From not making the conference playoffs to an NCAA final-four spot ... in a span of a year. UC Irvine's remarkable turnaround in men's volleyball this season has been called many things, from surprising to amazing in going from 9-20 to 27-4.

The same can be said for the Anteaters' freshman libero Brent Asuka, who went from a very tiny blip on the recruiting radar to a walk-on at UCI to Newcomer of the Year, both nationally and in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. The 2005 Iolani School graduate also was selected to the All-America team that was announced yesterday in conjunction with the final four at Penn State.

"I am so flattered and thankful," Asuka said. "There are a lot of words to describe this season. Magical. Exciting.

"I've been working hard to get where I am and I'm grateful that it's paid off. I had hoped it would happen but not this quickly. It's pretty much been a dream season."

And Asuka has been pretty much the dream player that Anteater coach John Speraw had been hoping for. Although his 2005 team was struggling through a 9-20 record last season, Speraw still felt he was just one player away from being a really good team ... one libero away.

"We knew we needed to dig balls in order to do anything," Speraw said. "No, I don't have a big recruiting budget, but we were able to bring Brent in (on a recruiting trip).

"Some of it was on the recommendation of Peter Greenhill. He had been right on the money when it came to another player. I trusted him."

Greenhill, who coached Asuka at the JV level at Iolani, had previously given Speraw an assessment of former Raider all-state defensive specialist Mike Contee (now playing at Quincy). Speraw was coaching the U.S. Junior National Team last summer and Contee had made the training roster. (Asuka was used sparingly as Contee's backup on Iolani's 2003 state championship team).

"Peter was right on about Mike," Speraw said. "But we didn't have much tape on Brent. We took a chance and I feel very lucky to have him in our program.

"Brent's been a tremendous addition, has clearly made the biggest difference for our transition game. He's taken charge and running our back court with tremendous poise and confidence.

"What he has done is pretty remarkable. The best thing about watching Brent play and work so hard is knowing he's only going to get better."

Asuka, a true freshman, led the MPSF in digs while also breaking the UCI single-season dig record. He has 327 going into today's semifinal with host Penn State (20-8), the team the Anteaters opened the fall season with, without Asuka.

"Coach told me that he was taking the two older liberos but for me to keep working hard," Asuka said. "We had another (fall) tournament at our school and I started then. I've been starting ever since.

"The guys have told me all about Penn State -- they went to a football game in the snow -- and they know the gym. It is cool that I get to share in the experience this time."

Although the college season will be over this week, Asuka is not done with volleyball this year. He's been selected to train with the U.S. Junior National Team, along with three current Hawaii prep players who were on the Youth National Team last summer: Jordan Inafuku (Kamehameha), Spencer McLachlin (Punahou) and Kawika Shoji (Iolani).

"As well as he's played this season, Brent's certainly earned being on the team," said Andy Read, a Long Beach State assistant and coach of the junior national team.

Greenhill is not surprised by Asuka's success.

"I saw things psychological and physical that had me convinced," Greenhill said. "He's one of the most competitive and fearless players I've seen. Nothing bothers him. He has an amazing ability to cover ground.

"He does things the casual fan wouldn't notice -- quickness, aggressiveness, reaction time, basic skills. If he had been healthy as a senior (ankle injury) he would have gotten more attention. I knew if he had the opportunity, he would show just how special a player he is."

Asuka just wanted to be given a chance. Hawaii high school volleyball doesn't use a libero, leaving potential liberos to hone their skills as defensive specialists limited to three back-row rotations in every six.

"I know I wasn't a big name," the biology major said. "I have been a role player. When I came to Irvine, I wanted to work my way onto the team. Be a practice player, then make the traveling squad, then have some court time.

"To be starting ... that was the goal eventually. I wasn't expecting this."

Note:Joining Asuka on the All-America team are Warrior junior setter Brian Beckwith and junior opposite Lauri Hakala (first team) and senior hitter Matt Carere and senior libero Alfred Reft (second team). It is the most All-Americans Hawaii has had in a season, one more than chosen in 1989, 1996, 2003 and 2005, and gives the program 27 All-America athletes and 39 All-America certificates.